Postcards from the Edge (1990)

Director:

Mike Nichols

Writers (WGA):

Carrie Fisher (book)
Carrie Fisher (screenplay)

Release Date:

12 September 1990 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Drama

Tagline:

Having a wonderful time, wish I were here.

Plot:

Substance-addicted Hollywood actress Suzanne Vale is on the skids. After a spell at a detox centre her...

Plot Keywords:

Mother | Daughter | Actress | Hollywood | Movie Director

Awards:

Nominated for 2 Oscars. Another 2 wins & 7 nominations

Cast

Meryl Streep	...	Suzanne Vale
Shirley MacLaine	...	Doris Mann
Dennis Quaid	...	Jack Faulkner
Gene Hackman	...	Lowell Kolchek
Richard Dreyfuss	...	Doctor Frankenthal
Rob Reiner	...	Joe Pierce
Mary Wickes	...	Grandma
Conrad Bain	...	Grandpa
Annette Bening	...	Evelyn Ames
Simon Callow	...	Simon Asquith
Gary Morton	...	Marty Wiener
CCH Pounder	...	Julie Marsden (as C.C.H. Pounder)
Sidney Armus	...	Sid Roth
Robin Bartlett	...	Aretha
Barbara Garrick	...	Carol
Anthony Heald	...	George Lazan
Dana Ivey	...	Wardrobe Mistress
Oliver Platt	...	Neil Bleene
Michael Ontkean	...	Robert Munch
Pepe Serna	...	Raoul
Mark Lowenthal	...	Bart
Michael Byers	...	Allen
J.D. Souther	...	Ted
George Wallace	...	Carl
Peter Onorati	...	Cameraman
J. Roy Helland	...	Make-up Man (as Roy Helland)
Douglas Roberts	...	Soundman
Michael Haley	...	Assistant Director (as R.M. Haley)
Kathleen Gray	...	Cindy
Gloria Crayton	...	Maid at Party
Gary Matanky	...	Sound Editor
Marcelo Tubert	...	Sound Editor
John Verea	...	Young Intern
René Assa	...	Passport Official
Natalia Nogulich	...	Friend at Airport
Susan Forristal	...	Friend at Airport
Evelina Fernández	...	Airline Employee (as Evelina Fernandez)
Neil A. Machlis	...	Rob Sonnenfeld (as Neil Machlis)
Gary Jones	...	Fan at Party
Jane Galloway	...	Nurse
Steven Brill	...	Assistant Director
Jason Tomlins	...	Officer
Shelley Kirk	...	First Lady
Jessica Z. Diamond	...	Script Supervisor
Scott Frankel	...	Pianist at Party
Sheridan Leatherbury	...	Stand-In
Ken Gutstein	...	Director of Photography
James Deeth	...	Helicopter Pilot
Robert Marshall	...	Helicopter Pilot
Jim Cuddy	...	Blue Rodeo Band
Greg Keelor	...	Blue Rodeo Band
Bazil Donovan	...	Blue Rodeo Band
Mark French	...	Blue Rodeo Band
Bob Wiseman	...	Blue Rodeo Band (as Bob Weiseman)
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Carrie Jachnuk	...	Fan at Party (uncredited)
Beau Lotterman	...	Soundman (uncredited)
Raymond Storti	...	Stagehand (uncredited)

Directed by
Mike Nichols

Writing credits (WGA)
Carrie Fisher		(book)
Carrie Fisher		(screenplay)

Produced by
John Calley	....	producer
Robert Greenhut	....	executive producer
Neil A. Machlis	....	executive producer (as Neil Machlis)
Susan MacNair	....	associate producer (as Sue McNair)
Mike Nichols	....	producer

Original Music by
Carly Simon

Cinematography by
Michael Ballhaus		(director of photography)

Film Editing by
Sam O'Steen

Casting by
Ellen Lewis
Juliet Taylor

Production Design by
Patrizia von Brandenstein		(as Patrizia Von Brandenstein)

Art Direction by
Kandy Stern

Set Decoration by
Chris Butler		(as Chris A. Butler)

Costume Design by
Ann Roth

Makeup Department
Lynda Gurasich	....	hair stylist
J. Roy Helland	....	hair stylist
J. Roy Helland	....	makeup artist
Cheri Minns	....	makeup artist
Greg Cannom	....	special makeup artist: Shirley Maclaine (uncredited)

Production Management
Neil A. Machlis	....	unit production manager (as Neil Machlis)
Chantal Feghali	....	post-production supervisor (uncredited)

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Michael Haley	....	first assistant director
Nathalie Vadim	....	second assistant director

Art Department
C.J. Maguire	....	property master
James F. Orendorff	....	construction coordinator
Mark Boucher	....	props (uncredited)
Charles Breen	....	set designer (uncredited)
David B. Brenner	....	foreman (uncredited)
Joseph G. Pacelli Jr.	....	set designer (uncredited)

Sound Department
Stan Bochner	....	supervising sound editor
Gene S. Cantamessa	....	production sound mixer
Steve Cantamessa	....	boom operator
Lee Dichter	....	sound re-recording mixer
Michael Jacobi	....	adr editor
Ellis Burman	....	sound re-recording mixer (restored version) (uncredited)

Special Effects by
Alan E. Lorimer	....	special effects coordinator (uncredited)

Visual Effects by
Bill Hansard	....	process projection

Camera and Electrical Department
Florian Ballhaus	....	first assistant camera
David M. Dunlap	....	camera operator
David James	....	still photographer
Tom May	....	key grip (as Thomas May)
James R. Tynes	....	chief lighting technician
Adam Glick	....	set lighting technician (uncredited)
Randy Nolen	....	Steadicam operator (uncredited)
Lowell Peterson	....	camera operator: "b" camera (uncredited)
Bradford Ralston	....	video assist operator (uncredited)
John 'Fest' Sandau	....	assistant chief lighting technician (uncredited)
Jeff Zucker	....	rigging gaffer (uncredited)

Costume and Wardrobe Department
Gary Jones	....	assistant costume designer
Eddie Marks	....	costume supervisor

Editorial Department
Kris Cole	....	assistant editor

Music Department
Frank Filipetti	....	music producer
Jack Lee	....	musical coach: Ms. MacLaine
Suzana Peric	....	music editor
Blue Rodeo	....	musician
Paul Samwell-Smith	....	music producer
David Sharpe	....	vocal effects (as David Sharpe's Totally Looped Group)
Howard Shore	....	music supervisor: musical numbers
Brian Eddolls	....	music preparation (uncredited)

Transportation Department
Joel Marrow	....	transportation coordinator

Other crew
Diane Bandolas	....	production accountant
Ilean Helland	....	assistant: Mr. Nichols
Michele Imperato	....	production coordinator
Ken Lavet	....	location manager (as Kenneth D. Lavet)
Helen Robin	....	assistant: Mr. Greenhut
Marshall Schlom	....	script supervisor (as Marshall I. Schlom)
Doug Taylor	....	publicist
Susan J. Bonno-Buckner	....	assistant accountant (uncredited)
Carlos Garcia	....	caterer (uncredited)
Laura Petticord	....	production assistant (uncredited)

Production Companies

• Columbia Pictures Corporation

Distributors

• Columbia Pictures (1990) (USA) (theatrical)
• Columbia TriStar Films de Argentina (1990) (Argentina) (theatrical)
• Columbia TriStar Film (1991) (Germany) (theatrical)
• Columbia TriStar Films (1991) (Netherlands) (theatrical)
• RCA/Columbia Pictures Home Video (1991) (USA) (video) (laserdisc)
• Columbia TriStar Home Video (1994) (USA) (VHS)
• Columbia TriStar Home Entertainment (2001) (Netherlands) (DVD)
• Columbia TriStar Home Video (2001) (USA) (DVD)
• Columbia TriStar Films (1991) (France) (theatrical)
• Columbia TriStar Home Video (199?) (Netherlands) (VHS)
• LK-TEL (199?) (Argentina) (VHS)

Other Companies

• L.A. Casting Express  extras casting
• Movie Movers  star trailers
• Sunset Caterers  catering

Runtime:

101 min | Canada:95 min (edited version)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Colour:

Colour (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

Iceland:L | Canada:14A (Ontario - 2006) | Argentina:13 | Australia:M | Chile:14 | Finland:S | France:U | Germany:12 | Sweden:11 | UK:15 | USA:R | Singapore:PG | Canada:A

Filming Locations:

Los Angeles, California, USA

Company:

Columbia Pictures Corporation

Trivia:

Jerry Orbach filmed scenes as Suzanne's father, based loosely on writer Carrie Fisher's real-life father, Eddie Fisher. His scenes were later cut.

Goofs:

Continuity: Shirley's head-scarf changes from loose to firmly fastened between shots at the hospital.

Quotes:

Doris: Sing one of your old numbers from my act.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Kids in America (2005)

Soundtrack:

From This Moment On

Wonderfully Nutty

Meryl Streep is just about the best actress around and this, I think, is one of my favourite performances by her. (so far). Why? Because she is not playing her usual self -- she is a total nut case in this film --- neurotic and downright hilarious. Much like 2002's "Adaption" she is playing against her normal dramatic type and is a wonderful comedienne -- a role she should play more often --- actresses usually playing actresses usually are not memorable --- this is a "keeper" role --- and what a voice. (had she not been an actress, she could give most singers these days a run for their money!) Do rent it and laugh --- it is worth the trip to the video store!